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Ohio State Football: Evaluating the AP Top 10, contenders or pretenders?

By Blake Biscardi

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 25: Urban Meyer head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes react to a play in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines on November 25, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 25: Urban Meyer head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes react to a play in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines on November 25, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 06: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the 2018 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 06: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the 2018 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

An in-depth analysis of Top-10 teams and if they are “Contenders” or “Pretenders” in the CFP race. Which category does the Ohio State football team fall into?

The Ohio State football team is firmly in the mix to make the College Football Playoff as are several other teams. But who are real contenders or just pretenders?

The race for the College Football Playoff is chaotically starting to heat up as upsets and statement wins are taking place all over the country. Teams like LSU, Texas, and Michigan appear to be a real threat to the playoff picture, but can they sustain their high level of play for the duration of the season?

Alabama, on the other hand, looks unstoppable and invincible with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, while programs like the Ohio State football team have elite components, but have yet to string things together for sixty minutes.

Which teams are legitimate contenders? Who are the pretenders? Let’s breakdown the AP Top-10 teams and label them as a “contender” or a “pretender.”

No. 10 Central Florida Knights

UCF has played one of the easiest schedules in college football thus far, but they have taken care of business against lesser opponents. McKenzie Milton and the Knights are controlling what they can as they should. However, I do not believe we will see them beat a team like Auburn again this season, nor do I think they will have enough to make the playoff, especially under this four team format.

Pretender

No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners

Kyler Murray and the Sooners have one of the most explosive offenses in the country that would give them a shot in every game they play. However, Oklahoma has major concerns on defense and teams cannot win a championship without a good defense.

I expect the Sooners to win the Big XII, but also miss the College Football Playoff unless their defenses tightens up and starts proving they can stop opponents. Oklahoma is on the fence.

I cannot overlook the holes on defense, but Murray and the offense are electric and they have the personnel to at least improve the defense.

Contender

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